(V 



FOR A 

MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENT 

ON MERRIMACK RIVER. 

WITH A TOPOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE PLACE, AND 
INCIDENTAL REMARKS. 



Belvidere is situated in the town of Tewkesbury, at 
the northwest angle formed by the confluence ^pf- Con- 
cord river, with the Merrimack, on Hunts fal!&*^x) caHed, 
which commence at the mouth of Concord js^jer. On 



the west side opposite Belvidere, is Chelmslord, where 
the Manufactories of the Merrimack Company, and Mr. 
Hurd are situated, and on the opposite side of the Mer- 
rimack lies Dracut. 

It is twenty-five miles north northwest from Boston, 
about the same distance from Salem, twenty from Ha- 
verhill, ten from Andover College, twenty-nine from 
Newbury port, and sixteen from Concord, hy straight- 
ening the road in certain places the distance may be 
shortened to about twenty-three miles to Charlestown, 
or Charles river bridn^e. There are several routes to it, 
from Boston, whi(;h do not vary more than one or two 
miles in the distance. One by the way of Lexington 
through Billerca, is about twenty six miles, one by the 
Middlesex turr.pike is about twenty-five miles, one 
through west Cambridge to Burlinoiton meeting house 
the same, one through Mrdford, Wol)urn to Billerca the 
same, and one through Woburn, a corner of Wilmington 
to Tewkesbury meeting house, the same. The roads 
are all very good, but the latter is esteemed by the 

1 
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o 



writer the best route, being less hilly and easiest for 
travelling, so that he generally performs the journey in 
about half or three quarters of an hour less time. To 
go by Andover College the distance would be about thir- 
ty miles, and by Concord, about thirty-three or four. 
Those who travel for pleasure may greatly diversify the 
scene, and find good roads for travelling. It is about 
seventeen miles from Londonderry village as the road is 
now travelled, but by straightening it in some places, 
the distance may be considerably lessened, and the land 
admits of a very good road, which the people are well 
disposed to make, provided a bridge should be built 
across the Merrimack at Belvidere. When this shall be 
effected, it will be the shortest and best route from Bos- 
ton, to Concord N. H., and so to Canada, and not bur- 
ihened with toll gates. The estate lies one hundred and 
eighty rods on the river, and from an actual survey, it is 
found that the river falls nine feet eight inches, from the 
upper to the lower bounds; and extending down one 
hundred rods further it falls three feet more, making in 
the whole twelve feet eight inches. This would afford 
as many mill seats as any company could desire, or ever 
improve; and the head of water is as great as could be 
wished. By means of a Canal to commence at the head 
of the falls, the whole river, or as much of it as would 
be necessary, might be appropriated to use. This would 
give as great a power as couid possibly be of any essen- 
tial service. The river gradually descends below the 
falls for about seven miles ; in some places it is more 
rapid, but makes in the whole a hW of from thirty-five to 
forty feet. So that it may be seen that the proprietor 
at the head of the falls, holds, as it were the lock and 
key, to these immense privileges. The land on the bank 
of the river is about fourteen, and fifteen feet, from the 
waters surface at low water, and is never overflown in 
the highest freshet. It consists of loom gravel and clay, 
and is easy and suitable for making a Canal. The 
works may be rendered perfectly safe from the highest 
water flood, as the gates and bulk head at the entrance, 
as well as flumes and sluice or raceways, might be so 
constructed as not to admit the water, except at plea- 
sure, and the mills or manufacturing houses would be as 



s 

it were in a dry dock, until the subsiding of llie ilood, 
which does not keep up more than from thirty-six, to 
forty-eight hours ; but such high freshets seldom happen. 
There is a sufficiency of rocks of every description neces- 
sary for building the Canal, where rocks would be re- 
quired — laying the foundation of the works, or of build- 
ing the manufactories, and conveniently situated for haul- 
ing, as it would be on descending ground ; and on the 
place there is plenty of the best white oak timber for 
every purpose for which that article might be required, 
and every other article of building may be brought to 
the spot by water. 

It is supposed that there is a sufficiency of clay for 
making all the bricks which might be wanted. The 
clay is of a good quality and many bricks have been 
made of that, taken from the place, but the quantity has 
not been well ascertained. 

It may with safety be affirmed that there is no place 
whatever, where all the materials for building of every 
description, can be had with more conveniency, and 
cheaper, than at this spot ; or that a canal of equal di- 
mensions can be made with less expence. 

By means of the Middlesex Canal, which joins the 
Merrimack river about three miles above Belvidere, and 
the Merrimack Locks and Canal, which commence 
above Patucket falls, and discharges into Concord river 
directly opposite ; there is water transportation to Bos- 
ton. Wood in the greatest plenty, and boards and lum- 
ber of all kinds, are brought down the Merrimack 
through the Locks and Canal. 

An adequate idea of the varied and beautiful scenery 
which Belvidere affijrds, can only be obtained by inspec- 
tion ; but as far as relates to its importance as a manu- 
facturing establishment, can in some measure be given, 
and by examining the plan may be understood. The 
north bounds is on Merrimack river one hundred and 
eighty rods, as the river winds a\)out one hundred and 
sixty on a straight line ; from whence it extends south 
carrying that width one hundred rods, containing about 
one hundred acres. Upon which a wood and pasture 
lot adjoins of about sixty rods in width and extending in 
a southerly direction. The whole tract containing two 



4 

hundred acres. The mansion house stands on the bank 
of the Merrimack, and near the mouth of the Concord, 
on an elevation of forty feet from the waters surface, at 
low water ; and is about one hundred rods distance from 
the Canal, and works of I he Merrimack Company ; and 
about sixty rods from the house erected and intended for 
the residence of the agent of the company, all of which 
are in full view. They make a handsouie appearance 
at present ; but when the works are completed they 
must exhibit a noble prospect. 

From the mansion house, the prospect is picturesque 
in the highest degree, consisting of the Merrimack river 
and part of the Concord. The banks being skirted 
down to the waters edge with grass or green shrubbery, 
from whence the land arising; in a gradual slope, exhibits 
through the trees on the bank, lawns, and fields, of va- 
rious kinds, which with distant houses seen through the 
various and handsome foliage forms as delightful a land- 
scape as can well be imagined. 

It is true there are not the mountains shutting down 
upon the river, as are seen en the Hsidson at Fishkills or 
Nevvburg — these give more the idea of the sublime, 
but the other does of the beautiful. The house with 
some trifling additions would be a very convenient situa- 
tion for a hotel, or boarding house, which is much want- 
ed at this place, and the stables and outhouses would be 
well calculated for the purpose, and would yield a hand- 
some rent. In front of the house is a lawn extending to 
the road twenty-four rods distance. 

South, on the road towards Boston, the land gradual- 
ly rises to about sixty feet above the waters surface, and 
affords many beautiful sites for building, and the view 
is still more extensive than at the house. Another road 
passing in front view of the house, is the main river 
road down the country to Andover rnd Newburyport, 
Sic. which crossing at the head of the other road at right 
angles, passes a hill where the elevacion is sevenry feet 
from the waters surface; from this extending back about 
thirty rods the land rises to one hundred and twenty feet 
above the waters surface, and affords the most elegant 
sites for building, that can be desired. A commanding 
view of the Merrimack for more than two miles, with the 



land rising from the rivers in the most picturesque land- 
scapes, consisting of lawns, fields, farmhouses, meeting 
houses, and other buildings, with the manfacturing works 
and buildings that have been mentioned, interspersed 
with groves and woodlands, extending several miles, 
when the whole appears to be skirted with hills and 
mountains, and at the last the New Hampshire distant 
mountains, like "Alps on Alps arise." 

All the works and buildings er<H'ted by the Merrimack 
company, and those by Mr. Hurd, already seem to form 
a handsome village, and are overlooked and in full 
view. These objects combined afford a prospect at once 
sublime and beautiful, and are not surpassed by any of 
the beautiful prospects in the western parts of New 
York, even Shaneattalas itself. 

From this elevated situation Justly called Belvidere, or 
handsome prospect — the, beauties of the view s cannot be 
obstructed or diminished by the town which may, and 
in all probability will grow up in consequence of these 
manufacturing establishments ; as the buildings will ap- 
pear to be direc ly under the elevated sites, and may 
rather be supposed to add to the beauties of the scenery. 
It must be of great importance to an establishment of this 
nature, where so many people are to be employed in the 
manufacturing line, to have the building sites commo- 
dious and elevated (not flat or sunken) with good water 
and a plenty of it ; the preservation of health being a pri- 
mary object — no place can excel Belvidere in this parti- 
cular. The sites for building are elevated, overlooking 
most others; and good wells with the purest water, free 
from ill taste and every bad quality, can be had in every 
part, the land being full of springs ; and by digging 
twelve or twenty, at the most thirty feet. And the ma- 
terials for stoning being at hand the well can be com- 
pleted with very little expence. 

To those who have seen towns and villages grow up 
in the space of thirty years, and some in twenty, the sug- 
gestion will not appear extravagant, that a town in this 
place will grow up in a much shorter period. Those 
places where the handsome towns in the western parts of 
New York, which have been built so rapidly, had noth- 
ing to allure the people except the beautiful situations for 



6 

building, and the fertile country around ; but here will 
be objects to induce a settlement, of which the peojile of 
those places could have no conception. In addition to 
all the advantages which nature has bestowed on any of 
those places (which Belvidere equally possesses with 
them) and our water communication with the capital — 
there will be immediate objects of gain and inducement 
for mechanics of every description to become settlers. 
The establishments of the Merrimack com[)any, and Mr. 
Kurd's; together with Belvidere, will employ at least a 
thousand persons, of every description, and probably in a 
few years double the nmnber. Their pay and subsist- 
ance, may be estimated to average two dollars a week 
for each. One half this sum will be expended for board 
and a great portion of the other for clothing and other 
articles. 

The expenditures of the manufacturers alone, will af- 
ford a support for a great number of mechanics, and 
other persons — traders, and those who keep boarding 
houses, and the like. And those who furnish provisions, 
butchers and market people, will expend a part of the 
money they receive, and it will require a number of per- 
sons of this description to supply all their wants. The 
wants of one person, requires the labour and attention of 
another, who also requires the aid of a third, and so on 
running through the whole circle ; all of whom are pri- 
marily set in motion by the companies money ; and must 
increase the population in a ratio of geometrical progres- 
sion. 

If any one should consider this calculation as extrava- 
gant, let him fairly examine the principle, and from 
what has been done, consider what may be done. 

If towns have grown up in the space of thirty years, 
with a population at this time of from one to two thou- 
sand persons, not possessing the advantages of Belvi- 
dere ; what may we naturally calculate will be the case 
of this town in a like or shorter period. Perhaps it will 
not be a fair sample to instance the city of Washington, 
that twenty-five years ago exhibited nothing but a few 
log houses, and negro huts, and now its palaces and 
fifteen thousand inhabitants. But what was the in- 
ducement to settle there ? Not commerce, for they have 



very little — not the navigation, for that is contemptible 
— nor the healthiness of the place, for it is the reverse — 
nor the goodness of the water, for generally it is very 
bad. In a word, it was solely the million of dollars, 
which the United States, or its agents the Congress, an- 
nually expend at this place ; from a blind fatality which 
cannot be withstood, or prevented, which has caused this 
population which will probably increase. And although 
there should be ever so good reason for removing the 
seat of government, even if death and the yellow fever 
should stare them in the face, it cannot be done, for no 
member of Congress dare make the motion, " lest there 
should be an uproar of the people." And in this respect 
the whole United States may be said to be under the 
control of the city of Washington. But this fair argu- 
ment arises out of the case, that the money to be ex- 
pended will cause the increase and growth of the place. 
There are at least forty different trades, occupations, 
and callings, which may be useful at Belvidere ; and the 
large towns as well as circumjacent country, can furnish 
them without being missed from their present places of 
abode. The people will become heads of families, or 
bring families with them. There will be no lack of 
hands, the oidy difticulty will be for them to find houses 
to live in, or build them as fast as may be required. The 
Company might employ some part of their capital in 
building cheap houses, to be sold or let, and the rent 
would be a full indemnification. These considerations 
afford sufficient proof, that the land will soon be in de- 
mand for house lots, and greatly increase in value and 
price ; and it will almost admit of demonstrative proof, 
that a portion of the land which may well enough be 
spared by the company, would in a short time fully re- 
pay the first purchase, leaving the residue with the im- 
portant privileges a net gain to the establishment. By 
the plan it will be seen that there is in one body, about 
50 acres, making 80C0 square rods, or 2,176,000 su- 
perficial square feet of land ; and this upon rising ground 
so well situated that nothing can excel it for building 
lots. And lying between the establishments, will be 
equally accommodating to both ; and the great road 
from the contemplated bridge, will pass directly through 



Jx^ 



it, running parallel with the other road about four hun- 
dred feet distance. At the price of three cents the 
square foot, enough might he sold each year, after the 
first jear or two, to pay eight per cent, on account of 
principal and interest, at six per cent, interest, and pay 
off the whole of the first purchase in about twenty-four 
years. This would be equal to the old six per cent, 
stock, except that in all probability it would be sooner 
paid off, than the other could be when first funded. 
And in this view it might be considered less valuable. 
For in a few years three cents a foot would be consider- 
ed a trifling sum for the purchase, and towards the close, 
no compensation at all. If the land should be divided into 
lots of one hundred feet front by two hundred deep, it 
would give to a lot twenty thousand square feet, which 
at three cents would amount to six hundred dollars. 
These lots would by some be divided into two or four 
lots, to suit their circumstances and convenience. A tra- 
der who would wish a hirge front for his house and store, 
and sufficient land back for outbuildings and garden, 
would occupy the whole; which would be a very cheap 
lot for so good a situation. But fifty front, and two 
hundred deep, would be a good lot ; and so, fifty by a 
hunc^red for some persons. 

It may be ol)jected that this calculation is wholly un- 
necessary, and if the company should never realize any 
thing from the sale of tiie lots, it would be of little con- 
sequence, the first cost being of trifling importance. 

The Merrimack com})any well understand the busi- 
ness, and seem determined at all events to have perfect 
mill sites without reference to the cost; they will un- 
doubtedly find their benefit by this determination, and 
the profits of the establishment will in a few years in- 
demnify ihem for all expenditures. And Belvidere will 
afford in this way every thing that can be useful or de- 
sirable. A breast wheel, sixteen feet diameter, and fif- 
teen feet long (though a larger if desired may be used) 
may be so constructtd with buckets, that five or ten 
tons of water may be constantly operating upon it, 
though a much less quantity will be sufiicient for all 
purposes. This with the usual gear, or machinery, 
would give so great a momentum, or force, as to carry 



-X 



9 

with sufficient velocity, as many looms ami spiiidUs ;is 
could well be [)laced in a building two hundred feet 
square, and four stories high ; or at least as large a build- 
ing as any company would wish to construct. And if 
there is any truth in the vulgar adage "that enough is 
as good as a feast," let us aj)ply it Iwre ; and all thi'^ 
may be had at Belvidere. There can be no doubt of 
success in this undertaking, and so fully of this opinion 
is the writer, that he wishes to invest his proj)erty in such 
an establishment at this place. 

Some of the purchasers of lots might want credit, which 
might safely be given, the land remaining as security, 
and after the first year there can be little doubt of the 
lots being in demand by various descriptions of persons. 

Objections are made against entering into a concern of 
this nature, on account of the law which makes the pro- 
perty of each member of a corporation liable for the 
debts of the company, contracted while he was a mem- 
ber. But this when examined is a mere bugbear. For 
in the first place, no prudent man would enter into such 
a concern without a moral certainty that no debts of im- 
portance would ever be contracted. The business from 
its nature is a ready money business, and ought to be so, 
to make it profitable ; and is no more to be carried on 
by credit, than money is to be borrowed upon the faith 
of the company to carry it on. The capital stock is paid 
in money, and after the first purchase, completion of the 
works and buildings, and purchasing machinery ; will 
be applied for the purchase of raw materials for ma- 
nufacturing, and payment of the manufacturers — the 
latter can only be a ready money business, if the com- 
pany wished otherwise. 

There must always be a sufficient sura in the troHsruy, 
or bank, for this pm-pose, and for the purchase of mate- 
rials. There is good reason for supposing the goods ma- 
nufactured will always sell for cash, or on short credit, 
and prudent managers will not run in debt for mate- 
rials, relying on the avails of goods sold on credit, and 
this the company can control. If the amount of stock 
paid in, is not sufficient for the purpose of purchasing 
raw materials, it evinces that the business is profitable, 
and there must be an increase of capital, either by selfitig 



10 

shares, or assessments on the shares, as may be most 
convenient. 

The mills, or manufacturing houses, will be built of 
stone or brick, and probabiv covered with slate, and ve- 
ry little combustible matter will be in them ; and the 
greatest part of the machinery will be of iron. The raw 
materials as well as goods manufactured, will be kept in 
store houses so detac!;e(l from the mills and each other, 
that if by accident one should be burnt down, the others 
would not be endangered ; and all being properly con- 
structed, and arranged, might be insured for a small pre- 
mium, as all the other houses and buildings belonging to 
the establishment ought to be. 

Upon a due consideration of all these facts and cir- 
cumstances, let a man ask himself, what is the amount of 
the risk he is going to run ? And laying imagination 
aside, where witches and ghosts are engendered, he will 
respond, it is too trifling for consideration. If a policy of 
assurance could legally be effected upon such a risk ; that 
is insuring a man's property against the debts of such a 
corporation beyond the amount of cf)rporate property; 
underwriters enough would be found, both corporate and 
individual, who would write for a quarter of one per 
cent. j)er annum. How few are those who insure their 
property against fire '. and yet how much greater the 
risk ! In one case there is always danger, in the other a 
bare possible danger. And is a man unwilling to stand 
his own underwriter for a great premium against a con- 
temptible risk ? His premium is the profits of his stock 
iti such an establishment ; his risk is the smallest and 
most remote that can well be imagined. If it is objected 
that a man for the trifling consideration of ten thousand 
dollars in stock, may jeopardize his whole property, 
amounting to a million of dollars ; the proposition is de- 
nied, or upon examination will be found so extreme a 
case, as not to be worthy of consideration. And to an- 
swer the objection we will suppose an extreme case. 
Suppose the stock of the company to be half a million: 
and by mismanagement, or misfortune they have squan- 
dered away or lost all their capital stock, and have in- 

ir^^d a debt of half a million more ; and a man owning 
nusand dollars in stock is worth a million of dol- 




11 

lars. To say his property is jeopardized for the pay- 
ment of the half million, this must be the fiict, that he is 
ultimately to lose it ; and this cannot be the case except 
all the other stockholders are bankrupt. And we are on- 
ly to consider, what his property is jeopardized to pay in 
a legal point of view ; and according to this, he is only 
to pay to the amount of his stock ; except his proportion 
of the debts of those who are unable to pay. For as to 
all losses as in cases of bankruptcy, they are pari passu, 
among the members, according to the amount of their 
stock. That is, supposing the debt to be paid is equal 
to the amount of the whole capital stock, then a man 
who owns ten thousand doll irs of the capital, is to bear 
the loss of, or pay ten thousand dollars of the debt, and 
no more ; except his proportion of what any of the other 
stockholders mny be deficient or unable to pay. But 
such extreme cases being within the bare bounds of pos- 
sibility, ought not to be reasoned upon. There may have 
been manufacturing establishments that from want of 
capital, want of knowledge of the business — being in the 
infancy of our manufacturing establishments — have spe- 
culated too deeply and failed, leaving debts unprovided 
for — all this may he admitted — these were speculatinr 
establishments. But it must also be admitted, that so'' • 
establishments have greatly inriched the proprietors, li- 
may well be supposed that the business is now much bet- 
ter understood than it was in its inception. All manu- 
factures, and manufactories, that have gone before or have 
been established, serve as pioneers to those who are their 
successors, knowledge in all arts being progressive. The 
avidity and enthusiasm with which the business is still 
pursued by the experienced and capitalist, with the infor- 
mation we have, as well as theoretic reasoning, leaves 
not a doubt in the mind, that the business is lucrative, 
and must continue so as long as the wants and necessi- 
ties of mankind continue. The supposition that this es- 
tablishment will become bankriipt, and jeopardize the 
property of any stockholder, must go upon the idea of 
unaccountable mismanagement, and misfortune, or a con- 
tradiction of all facts here assumed. 

It will be a fundamental rule of the Corporation, that 
the books of the Company shall at all seasonable hours, 



12 

be open for the Inspection of a stockholder, or member, 
where he may as often as he chooses know the situation 
of the affairs of the company, and make his calculations 
accordiiiglj. The Directors and agents will not only he 
interested in its welfare, hut will he appointed and re- 
nioveable by the Stockholders at pleasure. So that there 
is no possil)ilitj of danger of loss, except that remote pos- 
sible danger to whii h every transaction of man may be 
liable. Should a man place reliance in a house built of 
stone, in which there shoidd be no combustible material; 
here strength and durability, as w-ell as impossibility of 
loss by file, promises perpetuity; but an earthquake miy 
render all his labours and boasted security vain, and 
abortive. So a man placing his money in the public 
funds, might hmgh at calamity, but a revolution in go- 
vernment might cause him to laugh the otiier side. Or 
he might deposit his money in I he vaults of a bank, dou- 
bly boiled, barred and locked, but the cashier keeps the 
key ; and although the money were ever so ponderous, 
it might take to itself wings and fly into the uttermost 
parts of the earth. We are told from divine authority, 
that there is but one Treasury, that defies moth, rust, and 
thieves. Because tJiere is no situation, or transaction of 
humrui life, totally exempt from danger, does it follow 
tint a man must be v\ holly inactive, and neither eat, 
drink, or sleep, lest it should \nuve to be his last ? A 
man who fully considers this subject, and has money 
which he w ishes advanfaoeoiisly to improve, but fears to 
])lace it in such an establishment, on account of these 
imaginary dangers ; may be compared to a man who 
would not eat a delicious |)lum, lest the stone should slip 
into his throat and choak liim. 

" ()ut of this nettle danger we pluck this flower safe- 
ty" says Hotspur. It is dangerous to take a cold, dan- 
aerous to take medicine, dauirerous to use monev, dan- 
gerous to keep it, dangerous for a man to ride lest the 
iiorse should stumble, and break his bones, dangerous to 
go on foot lest a wild fellow driving tandem should run 
him down — and so ends our chapter of dangers. 

But the writer would not be understood as approving 
the act of the 28th of January, 1^22, making the mem- 
bers of a corporation liable in their individual capacity, 



for debts of the corporation, contrncted while they were 
members; or tl)e several tlanses taeked to the acts incor- 
porating maiiufactDring cotnj)anies, of the same import. 
They were useless, impolitic and unwise, and highly an- 
tipatriotic, because nianufacturing establishments ought 
to be encouraged by the legislature. It was legislating 
on a solitary case that had occurred, and answered no 
good put pose whaiever, but will operate injuriously to 
the public until repealed. Not one dollar will be saved 
to the state or indiviluals, in consequence, but thousands 
of dollars may be sent into the state of New Hampshire, 
where the legislature seem to have more correct views of 
political economy, and have not been misled by visionary 
scruples or conceptions. These acts and clauses ought 
to be repealed, they only serve to frighten the over abun- 
dantly cautious, and drive out of the state tliat capital, 
which might as well be employed among t)ur own citi- 
zens, and not sent to fatten the j)eopIe of a state, where 
th<' legislature are more expanded in their vieus. For 
no doubt there are people of capital, who will employ 
their money in manufactures, as being the most lucrative 
and safe mainer of using it — foreign commerce being so 
unproductive and precarious, or as some say " overdone." 
And notwithstanding all argumejjts and reasoning upon 
the std)j(^ct, v\ill not ri^k Joining a corj)oration in Massa- 
chusetts with those " raw head and bloody bone" acts 
staring them in the face. Though ue may apjjrove their 
contempt of the law, yet we think they are unnecessari- 
ly, and over abundantly cautious, as has been before 
shewn. Still every well wisher to the cause of manufac- 
tures (and every friend to his country nmst be of this 
description) will heartily join in efforts to have the ob- 
noxious act repealed at the next session of the legislature. 
Should their efforts fail, there will soon be another 
choice of members who may be more like the New 
Hampshire legislature in this particular. And of this 
there can be very little doubt, for nothing is more popu- 
lar among the mass of the people of the country, than 
manufactures ; and they will be disposed to frown on 
those, who in the infancy of our establishments seem in- 
clined to cast unnecessary clogs in the way of employ- 
ing the capital of monied men in the business, especially 
in our own state. 



14 

A bridge may easily be built across the Merrimack in 
any part of the falls, with little expence ; as all the rocks 
necessary for building the piers lie in the bed of the 
river, and at low water are mostly bare, as the waters 
then flow in cliannels on each side. Tiie toll would ful- 
ly indemnify the making, but a bridge would be so use- 
f(jl in introducing the market people from the north side 
of the river among the people of the establishment, as 
well as profitable by the increase of travel enhancing the 
value of the lands, that ihe Company might think it ad- 
viseable to build a free bridge. 

From the foregoing observations, the writer feels con- 
fident in asserting, that there is not at this time, a place 
equal to Belvidere, to be obtained, combining all the ad- 
vantages and privileges there to be possessed. For if the 
contrary should be asserted, the reasonable question, is, 
where does it lie ? And it may be matter of surprise, 
how few there are in any part of the United States, with 
which we are much acquainted, that possess important 
advantages. Plenty of water, sufiiciency of fall, and 
conveniency of situation are primary objects — indeed in- 
dispensable. Small streams that do not flow from great 
reservoirs, usually dry up in summer, so that for several 
weeks there is little or no water; this would be so great 
an interruption for an extensive establishment as almost 
wholly to destroy its utility. For although the injury 
would not be so destructive to saw mills, and grist mills, 
or some manufacturing mills, where but few hands are 
employed — though in such case very inconvenient — 
but for an establishment where several hundred per- 
sons are to be employed, it would be ruinous to have 
the company scattered like a flock of snow birds for 
several weeks — they might never be collected again. All 
short streams, and minor streams, must be left for minor 
works, and minor establishments. But for works of im- 
portance where much is expected to be done, and great 
profits to arise, and capital to be employed, great rivers 
and streams, and consequently long rivers, can only with 
safety be resorted to. The privilege should be such, that 
the water may be so regulated as never to have at the 
works, too much or too little. The Merrimack Manu- 
facturing Company seem sensible of this, and have it in 
their power completely to succeed — but how many places 



can be found of tijis description ? A little examination 
of some of the princijial rivers and streams will serve to 
illustrate. Penobscot river is navigable for ships to Ban- 
gor, and above there, for boats, in all its principal branch- 
es, and streams ; which shows that it is a level country 
and there are few mill privileges to be found ; and these 
only upon brooks and small streams, easily affected by 
drought. There is a boat navigation from the Penobscot 
to the Schoodick by means of ponds and lakes with 
some carrying places ; commencing about twenty miles 
above Bangor ; this is also a level country, and the land 
is said to be so flat as in many places to be unfit for cul- 
tivation. The country between this and the sea may be 
considered as an island, and the extent across not being 
more than fifty miles, although there may be some 
streams dignified with the name of rivers, they can have 
no importance except for saw and grist tiiills, or some 
small establishments. The average distance between the 
Penobscot and Kennebeck, being about fifty miles, the 
streams emptying into the Penobscot on the western 
side cannot i)e more than from twenty to thirty miles in 
extent although some of them ruii in a south easterly di- 
rection. Kemiebeck is navigable to Ha Howell, and ex- 
cept the falls at Augtista, there are none to the mouth of 
the Sebasticook, and this stream runs through a level 
country, and soon branches out into brooks and small 
streams; and the whole of Kennebeck is said to run 
through a level country to its source, except the falls 
twenty miles above Norridgwalk. The tributary streams 
of the Kennebeck on either side, cannot be more exten- 
sive than those of the Penobscot, and may serve (he pur- 
pose of common mills, but are of no further consequence. 
Amoriscoggin is long and large, and at its mouth has 
good mill privileges. The upper parts where it takes its 
rise in the lake Umbagog is a sluggish river, and so 
continues until it gets into Maine. 

At Bethel there are falls, and at some other places, but 
there is great risk and danger in improving them on ac- 
count of the freshets. In 1785, the water rose to near 
thirty feet from the bed of the river, and four years ago, 
it rose sixteen feet in less than twenty-four hours. Near 
the head of the river in iN^. H. inill logs have been cut 



16 

w'uliiii two years and floated down to Brnnsvvi<'k, whirli 
shows that the river is not mutdi interrupted with mills 
and milldams, which probahlj would have been the case 
if tliere had been many mill sites. 

The sources of the Saco river are in the White Hills, 
where they are very wild and subject to t!ie greatest vi- 
cissitudes of rising and falling, as are the great and liitle 
Ossapy which empty into it ; but descending into the in- 
tervals of Conway Ir^comes more tranquil and so con- 
tinues to the falls of Saco; but the freshets in the river 
are from twenty to thirty feet, and very frequently twen- 
ty, and the damage done by them very great. At Ber- 
Avick and Dover, all tiiat is of importance is already se- 
cured, and although there is a sufficient water fall at the 
latter, there may be a deficiency of water in a very dry 
summer. The Cochecho river is not more than thirty 
miles in its utmost extent, and the upper parts have been 
known to be so destitute of water that the mills could 
not be employed. Dr. Belknap, speaking of a remarka- 
ble place in Salmon falls river, a principal branch of the 
Piscataqua, and which runs parallel with the Cocheco 
and not many miles distance from it, says, " I once visit- 
ed this place in a severe drought, Se[)tember, 1782, when 
the flat rocks in the bed of the river were mostly dry." 
It has been observed that every stream that does not take 
its rise in a large reservoir, lake or pond, but is fed by 
small brooks and springs; in a dry time, and especially 
as the country is more cleared from woods and bushes ; 
becomes exhausted with our summer's heat ; and the 
stream ceases to flow, when its fostering brooks no lon- 
ger exist, and this must always be the case when the 
showers or rain cease to fall. " Rivers," says the above 
historian " originate in mountains, and find their way 
through the crevices of the rocks to the plains below 
where they glide through natural meadows often over- 
flowing them with their freshets." This is true where 
there are mountains ; but the great Niagara and St. Layv- 
rence come frotn lakes, and there are many streams dig- 
nified with the name of rivers where no mountain exists, 
such as Charles river, Mystick, Concord, Nashua, and 
even Shawshme, the great river of Wilmington. And 
also large rivers, such as the Muskingum, Scioto and 



17 

Miami, which flow into the Ohio ; and some sluggish 
streams, such as the Sandusky, Huron, Cjahoga and ma- 
ny others which fall, or rather discharge into lake Erie. 
Even the Alleghany, the principal branch of the Ohio has 
its source in the state of New York a very level country. 
And although it receives many of its tributary streams 
from the mountains of that name, yet the principal stream 
is navigable to within fifteen miles of lake Erie — that is 
for boats, and a kind of thing called arks, which float 
down the river, carrying many a mistaken emigrant to 
that country (we may almost be allowed to say) " from 
whose bourne no traveller returns." But there would be 
as much truth in the observation, that the source of all 
rivers is in the clouds, as in the mountains ; or we may 
go further, and say, that the source of all rivers is in the 
sea, great lakes, ponds, and rivers themselves, and the 
whole surface of the earth. 

For the clouds are produced by evaporation, and 
the panicles imperceptibly small at first, soon form 
vapour or fog, which floating in the air unite by attrac- 
tion. And although we have no knowledge of the 
proximate cause, we know the fact. The vapour or 
clouds being driven together by a current of air (the 
wind) or by the concussion of an electrick shock, which 
we call lightning, form drops specifically heavier than the 
atmosphere ; or being thus united are (philosophically 
speaking) by the force of gravitation drawn to the earth, 
or sea, from whence they arose when separated by heat, 
or the air, or by some unknown cause. The drops des- 
cending in showers or rain, deposit their treasures over 
all, and where falling upon mountains or hills or land of 
any descent, soon form small rivulets, brooks and streams ; 
and uniting in their course with others, increase in size 
and quantity and continue to run in various sinuosities 
according to the surface of the land over which they pass ; 
and where it is sufficiently extensive, form those immense 
rivers, whicj^ as Dr. Belknap observes, " have been re- 
vered as Deities by savages and superstitious people." — 
By this means, the circulation of water is kept up for the 
use of all animals ; which if it were altogether to cease 
we in all probability would soon cease to breathe. If the 
waters did not fall in rain the rivers would be exhausted 
3 



18 

by their continual discharge, and the sea itself would be 
dried up hy evaporation, or incrustated with salt. These 
observations are intended to illustrate these positions, 
that all rivers and streams, ponds and lakes, are caused 
and made by the rains that fall ; and if it should altoge- 
ther cease to rain, the rivers in a short time would cease 
to flow, and the ponds and lakes would be dried up by 
evaporation. And although they may in some degree be 
fed by subterraneous springs, yet these have their origin 
in the clouds, there being no subterraneous reservoir — 
for if there was it must soon be exhausted. The vicissi- 
tudes which we experience in our seasons, of wet and 
dry, are occasioned by a greater proportion of the clouds 
discharging their contents upon the land at one season 
than another, and at different places in the same season. 
Thus at one place we have an inundation of rain, while 
at another the earth seems parched to a cinder by drought : 
and could all the clouds be driven to the earth, and not 
discharge a portion of their contents in the sea; we soon 
should have reason to exclaim " the fountains of the great 

deep are broken up !" The vicissitudes we know and 

experience, but the causes are among the arcana of na- 
ture. So it is of lightning, which is more severe in one 
season than another. The facts we know, and the ef- 
fects, and can demonstrate that it is similar or the same 
as electricity, which can be raised or excited by the ope- 
ration of machinery and rubbing different substances 
against each other — as common fire can be produced by 
friction. Thus far we progress in our science, and talk 
of electrick, per se, and no7i electrick ; of conductors and 
lion conductors; but alas! we have no further conductor 
in knowledge, and here we seem to be at the end of our 
tether. 

But as from experience we certainly know the great 
and melancholy effects of the sun, and heat, upon the 
whole vegetable creation, as well as upon rivers and 
streams, in a long continuance of drought ; ^ve are drawn 
to this irresistible conclusion, that all streams would dry 
up without rain in a great length of time ; but small and 
short streams, which are small because they are short, 
must dry up in a very little time, except recruited from 
the jrrand reservoir — the clouds. x\nd from experience 



19 

we are well ascertained, that droughts are not universal 
over the earth, but rather partial — as in the present sea- 
son, there was a severe drought in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton, but in Vermont and the U[)|)er parts of New Hamp- 
shire, there was no want of rain. So, long and large 
rivers, whi(h are large because they are the collection of 
waters from a long and extensive tract of country, are 
not subjeci to the same casualty of want of water, to 
which short and small streams must continually be liable. 
The land, for instance, which cast the waters into the 
Mississippi, is more than two thousand miles broad at the 
head, fr(tm east to west, and about three thousand in 
length from north to south. The rains fallino; upon this 
immense trac t, run in inmimerable brooks, and streams — 
or, as they are sometimes, but improperly called — creeks 
— and rivers, until they find the lowest channel; where 
the eastern waters saluting the western, unite in friend- 
ly sympathies, and flow together in various sinuosities, 
until they discharge their mighty collectifui at the Balize. 

This river, though at times much swollen by reason of 
the melting of snow, or unusual fall of rains in some par- 
ticulrir qu;nter, yet is never much affected by drought. 

The Muskingum, is, in many respects, the Mississippi 
in miniature, but is the largest of any in the Slate, except 
the Ohio itself, though the Miami is thought by some to 
be larger than the Muskingum. From the mouth, ex- 
tending north about a hundred miles to Cochocton, it is 
navigable for boats without any interruption, except a 
short fall at Zanesville, where ii receives fucking Creek, 
as it is called — a pretty considerables river. From Co- 
chocton, it branches out like a tree, and from thence is 
navigable for flat bottom boats in some of its branches, 
for fifty or sixty miles. As the Musliinjinm receives the 
waters to within thirty niiles of hike Erie, l)y the Tusca- 
waras its principal branch, it may be considered to be in 
length from its source to the mouth, about two himdred 
miles; and from east to uest towards the head, it re- 
ceives the waters of upwards of one hundred miles; be- 
ing nearly a third more extent of country, than affi)rds 
vyater for any other river in the Slate, except the great 
river or the great Miami, a small part of which towards 
the mouth runs in the State. 



20 

The country is very level, scarce a hill to be seen, 
and a part is so flat as to be very frequently inundated 
by rnins, and incapaljje of cultivation. Many of the 
streams are dried up in a great drou«Tht, ye^ there is 
Avater enough in the principal river towarcls its mouth, 
as the severity of the drought seldom or never ex- 
tends over the whole country. 

New Hampshire may probably show as many mill 
privileges as any State in the Union, but they are 
principally on the Me.rimack and its tributary streams, 
and those running into the Connejticut. For except 
Bellovvs's falls, which may [)r()bHbly be improved to 
advantage, tiiere is no fall upon ihe river in New 
Hamj)shire, except White river falls, a little below 
Hanover, (and this not very great) until the river 
dwindles to a mere brook in the highlands; but the 
streams flowing into it may afiT)rd good mill seats. Mer- 
rimack river seems the most important. What is called 
the Merrimack is formed by the confluence of Winni- 
pisseogee, and Pemigewasset rivers, about seventy miles 
as the river winds from Hunt's falls. The Winnipis- 
seogee river comes from the lake of that name, and is 
about twenty miles from the junction with the Pemige- 
wasset. The lake is twenty-two miles in length from 
northwest to southeast, and in some places about eight 
miles broad. It is very irregular in its shape and inden- 
tations, and receives the waters that flow from many high 
mountains and large tracts of country. At the first dis- 
covery of the river, it was thought to be a main branch, 
but the Pemigewasset is now considered such. One 
circumstance may be mentioned, although not connected 
with our present inquiries, that is, that the salmon go up 
the Pemigewasset, and the shad the other branch, and 
this is invariably the case. From the junction of the 
branches, or confluence, to the sources of the Pemige- 
wasset, is from fifty to sixty miles. The river thus form- 
ed receives many large streams in its course, and becomes 
of importance at Hunt's falls, where it receives the Con- 
cord river. There are several falls upon the river above 
Patucket, but the principal are Amoskeag, Isle of Hook- 
set, and Little's falls at Campton. The latter would be 
of great importance, could any way be devised to pre- 



21 

vent the injury clone by freshets. Very valuable mills, 
and a new bridge, the property of Arthur Livermore, 
Esq. were swept away about two years ago, although at 
Hunt's falls the freshet was not very high ; at Little's it 
was said to be the highest retiieudjered, even greater than 
that of 1785. Such is the irregidarity of rivers in the vi- 
cinity of high mountains ; and there are many such 
rivers tributary to the Merrimack, and also to the Con- 
iie(ti(ut; where a few days rain will cause an inunda- 
tion; but a severe drought will parch even the pebbles in 
the beds of the streams. 

Upon these tril)ut;iry streams there are many mill pri- 
vileges, but they are all very suitject to these casualties 
— freshets and droughts ; and against such risks it would 
require double the premium thai it would to insure a 
man's property against the risk of |)aying the con)|)any's 
debts — perhaps ten times greater. At H mil's falls the 
freshets swell the river to great magnitude, but the water 
soon subsides, and can do no injury ; and severe drought 
has a visible effect upon the river, but the water was ne- 
ver known to be so low, as not to alford more than dou- 
bly sufficient for manufacturing purposes of every des- 
cription, when the whole could be collected as it may be 
there. 

It is needless to extend our inquiries further, but may 
admit, that there are many excellent privileges in Maine, 
New Hampshire, Vermont, and in ihe western parts of 
New York ; but except the grand Cataract, aiid the falls 
upon the Mohawk there must be very few in the latter, 
except those sufficient for saw and grist mills ; the whole 
country being very level, as the grand canal evinces. In 
one place it is sixty miles without a lock. But the great 
objection of want of water transportation lies against 
them all. To a gentleman in the capital, the distance 
would be the most serious inconvenience. A farm may 
be worth three hundred dollars per acre, near Boston, to 
a gentleman residing there ; but the gift of one on the 
Amoriscoggin river, to be obliged to keep it, nujch more 
to cultivate it, might justly be considered a hard bargain. 
And the difference between an establishment at a dis- 
tance, and one w^ithin four hour's ride, where every 



22 

thing would be (as it were) constantly under his eye, 
might be considered somewhat in the same ratio. 

It seems to be the settled opinion that New England 
must be the principal manufacturing country of the Unit- 
ed States, and this opinion is well founded. From the 
Hudson to the Susquehannah there may be something 
done, but there aie very i'ew good millseats — even the 
great falls of the Passnick, may at times want water. 
The Raritan affords nothing except there may be some 
falls upon the small streams at the sources, and if there 
is any thing upon the Delaware or its branches, it must 
be very remote in the country. 

Be}ond the Siisfjuehannah, much cannot be expected. 
The climate, which fixes the habits of the people, renders 
them averse to labour of this kind. They can furnish 
the raw materials, such as cotton and hemp, and some 
parts are excellent for raisifig of sheep, that is in those 
places where the wolves (;annot find convenient asylums ; 
but the goods must be manufactured for them, and ship- 
ping must be fnrnished to carry their products to market, 
or it may well be doubted w hether they would ever find 
their way there. Every one who has visited any part of 
the western country, must have observed their extreme 
aversion for labour ; and (Miltivatiiig the soil in a very 
rough slovenly manner, is all ihey will submit to, that is, 
the greatest part of them. With respect to manufactur- 
ing estHblishments, the experiments that have been made 
seem to hav«' failed. Oiie established in the interior at a 
plnce called K(Mid 1 was giveu up some years ago. And 
the principal one at Steubenville — a woollen manufacto- 
ry owned by a nttniber of gentlemen of the vi inity, one 
of whom is a man of great property ; was carried on by 
Gerainn^, and the operation v\ as by steam, which affords 
proof that water priviltges could not i)e had there. Whe- 
ther on this account, or whatever may have been the 
cause, the whole works are advertized for sale. But 
there are no good w at< r privileges on any part of the 
streafns leailing into the Ohio except small brooks. In 
some places they grind with horse, and an extensive es- 
tablisliment for nail cutting is operated by horses at Pitts- 
burg ; and at Washington within, twenty-four miles of 
the Ohio, there is a steain grist mill, built at great ex- 



23 

pence, and the reason assigned for building a steam mill, 
was that they have no good water privileges near them. 



A Company to be established by name of the Belvi« 
DERE Manufacturing Company for manufacturing cot- 
ton and woollen cloths, and stamping, — with a capital 
stock of four hundred thousand dollars including real 
estate, to be divided into one thousand shares, mak- 
ing four hundred dollars the full price of a share. But 
should the Company hereafter deem it expedient, the 
stock may be increased by assessments on the shares, or 
by sale of additional shares, as may be thought most ex- 
pedient, until the whole capital shall amount to a sum 
not exceeding one million of dollars. And for this pur- 
pose application to be made for an act of incorporation. 

A Subscription Paper to be prepared to as(?ertain who 
are desirous of becooiing Stockholders, and to what 
amount. 

The Shares alone to be liable for all assessments made 
by authority of the Company, conformable to the law of 
Massachusetts, of March 3, H>09, defining the general 
powers and duties of Manufacturing Corporations. 

BELVIDERE, AUGUST 17, 1822. 

P. S. It is worthy of remark, that while this Prospec- 
tus was preparing for the press, or rather after it was 
written, there should be an occurrence illustrative of a 
position here laid down — that droughts were not univer- 
sal, but partial. For some weeks past, there has been a 
considerable drought in this vicinity, insomuch that the 
small streams are principally dried up, and the Concord 
river is now so low as not to afford sufficient water to 
feed the Middlesex Canal, and loaded boats can with dif- 
ficulty pass. On Thursday morning last, the 15th, there 
was a small shower, but scarce enough to lay the dust, 
and did very little service to vegetation, but not the least 
to affect the streams. There had been strong southerly 



7 ^ C 

f 

24 „./^ ^ 

and easterly winds tor several days. The Merrimack 
river had fallen as low as usual in the summer, and the 
drought still continues. On Saturday night the 17th the 
Merrimack rose from six to eight inches. This affords 
decisive proof that considerable rain had fallen at the 
heads of the river, for a trifliisg shower could not affect it 
so much as to appear at this distance. It is probable 
that at the t.me we had a slight rain, there must have 
been heavy showers in the mountains towards the sources 
of the river, as from Thursday morning to Saturday night 
gives about the usual time the water is running down, 
according to the observations made by the writer. He 
has further ol)served that the great rains which have 
usually caused the rise of the river, succeed the souther- 
ly and easterly winds which blow for a length of time. 
These driving up the vapour and clouds into the moun- 
tains, the rain falls in torrents, according to the theory 
herein advanced, which rushing down into the level coun- 
try overflow and inundate the intervals and flats, and 
greatly swell the river even to its mouth, though not so 
greatly as nearer its source. At Plymouth in 1785 the 
river rose thirty feet from its bed, but at Hunt's falls the 
highest ris^ was but twelve; but no freshet since has 
ever exceeded eight ; and the highest for six years past, 
during which time the writer has lived there, the rise has 
not been more than six feet. 



